Kobe Bryant To Be Inducted Into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Deceased NBA star Kobe Bryant reportedly has been tipped for an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - the former L.A Lakers player passed away in a helicopter crash alongside eight other passengers including his daughter, Gianna, 13, on Sunday.

The death of the two-time MVP has received tributed from the highs and lows in the NBA. He demise happened to be on the eve of the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony and Alicia Keys paid tributes to him during her stage performance.

Announcing the induction of the late star, the institution's chairman Jerry Colangelo said: "Expected to be arguably the most epic class ever with Kobe, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. Kobe will be honoured the way he should be."

Bryant retired from the sport in 2016 making his last appearance with Lakers in the season finale 101-96 win over Utah Jazz scoring a season-high 60 points to become the oldest player ever to put up such in a single game.